Mike's Blog Page

8-15-2006 3:21am

The global economy has arrived!

You can now order just about anything from your computer and have it delivered to your door with the click of a mouse and a credit card number. Wow! But wait there's more! You don't even have to get dressed to do it.

That's right; “Shopping Naked” could be the next big reality show!

It not just from home either. This morning there was a “CEO” from a web company on a national morning news show that set up a system so you could auction off your public parking spot in NYC from your cell phone to someone driving around looking for a spot to park! No kidding. It was on TV this morning! Can you imagine two New Yorkers setting at stoplights; putting in bids for a parking spot on their cell phones?

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Take our local Farmers Market that's on the town square every week. Local vendors of; fresh flowers, handmade pottery, fruits, vegetables and other things that we enjoy. If were not careful someone will figure out a way to use a streaming web cam to help you pick out the ripest tomato or the freshest flowers from one of our local producers, buy it for you, stick it in a box and hand it to the UPS driver as he goes by.

For a small handling fee plus shipping of course.

You know what. That's a good way to make a little extra money, call me with your CC number and I'll get started on it. Maybe I could go public with it, sell some IPOs and then buy out all of the local farmers, set up web cams right there in front of the tomato plants so you can bid well in advance. No need to take them to town, we'll cut out the middleman, I'll just ship straight to you from the farm. I could do that naked from my Private Island that I'll buy with the money from the IPOs. This is going to be great! The only way it could be better is if I have it all grown and shipped in from Bangladesh or maybe Zimbabwe (labor is cheaper you know). Then I could sell the local farmland to Developers to put up some more McMansions. After all, that's the “highest and best” use of the land isn't it? More Tax dollars to support the out of work farmers. That would be a great platform to use while running for office wouldn't it.

You could avoid all of those people that seem to show up each week at the market. You know the ones I'm talking about. Always saying “Hi there, how are you today?” Or the type that says with a smile “It's good to see you again”. And don't forget about that young couple that always gets in front of you, you know the ones, with the double stroller with two children in it and one holding on to daddy's hand. Plus they brought the small dog on a 12ft leash that wants everyone to pet him. Yes, I know, it gives you a sense of payback and puts a smile on your face when you see them over by the water fountain trying to wash the peach juice off little Billy's hands while the dog has his nose down just as far as he can in the sack of blackberries, or the toddlers diaper, but that not why your there is it? Your on a mission. Your there to “buy it cheap” right?

Of course not! It has nothing to do with the price of the fruit or the pottery or the flowers. Someone somewhere is selling the same things for less (plus a small S&H fee).

It's about the people, the sights, the sounds, the smells, and the community.

Think Global. The best thing about the Internet is Information. You can set in front of this screen naked, and learn many things. But when it comes time to act…..

Buy Local if you can. No matter what the product or service, there are many ways a few dollars spent locally can return to you. When was the last time that company with a web page, a warehouse in the desert and no phone number told a friend “ If you want fresh flowers try (put your neighbors name here) up on the Fayetteville Square Saturday. And while your there, get one of those handmade vases that (put a friends name here) makes, they're one of a kind. She's there every week” or handed out one of YOUR business cards to someone needing what you have or do? They can't. They're halfway across the country. The only thing they can do for you is “sell it cheap” But by the time you add in a small (sometimes it's small) handling fee and shipping you probley didn't save that much did you?

If you are looking for a good deal, try a locally owned restaurant or the farmers market or maybe a local craftsman making handmade items, just because he or she enjoys it. It's not what you pay, it's what you receive. You never know when you're going to get a couple of free squash with that hand carved squirrel whistle. You might get a great recipe with a handmade apple baker.

Or, if your lucky, get to see how mom and dad put that 747 wide-body baby stroller, three kids and a Dachshund on a sugar rush from blackberries and baby poo into the Mini Cooper they bought on Ebay because the ad said “Great Family Car”. Try to put a price on that!

Sometimes you need to see what you're getting and who you're getting it from.

Oh! I almost forgot. Support your local pottery supply. We have dachshunds here but you will need to bring you own blackberries. And while you're here, leave us some of your business cards. We'll be sure they get into the right hands. After all, if your not selling pottery were' not selling pottery supplies.

Check back soon: I'm working on a way to get cameras installed at New York City intersections so we can watch the fights for parking spots in real time.

A small fee will be involved.

Mike Meredith CEO www.BidYourLocalFarmerOutOfaJob .com

Disclaimer: Any reference to the above scenario or purchase of items from the potters Jerry Falkner, Shirley Miller or Cherl Buell that are at the Fayetteville Farmers Market Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday may result in more local sales of everything. And could also result in parking spots being auctioned. Use this information at your own risk.

Please contact Flat Rock Clay Supplies at info@flatrockclay.com or 479.521.3181 to sign up for workshops, submit inquiries or send feedback.